![]() In 1988, Seiko blended mechanical and quartz movements with the KINETIC line, which used an automatic rotor to generate electricity for the movement (instead of traditionally winding a mainspring). Quartz technology inevitably began grabbing the spotlight with watches like the first analogue quartz chronograph in 1983, but Seiko has always maintained a strong, innovative and highly competitive mechanical presence. 6139 became the world’s first automatic chronograph with both a vertical clutch and column wheel. In 1965, Japan’s first diver’s watch, the 62MAS, was produced with a depth rating of 150 metres and was used by the 8th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. The brand earned such a strong reputation that Seiko became the official timekeeper for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964 (and again at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992). The first watch represented the pinnacle of Japanese mechanical watchmaking and was competitive with Swiss and European rivals. In 1960, the brand launched its flagship line, Grand Seiko. Seiko never forgot its roots and continued to focus on mechanical timepieces as well. These technological advancements heralded a new age of horology with a precision, sophistication and computer “magic” that posed the greatest threat to traditional watchmaking, which was devastated for nearly two decades. Seiko followed up in 1973 with the first six-digit LCD quartz watch, the first multi-functional digital watch in 1975 and in 1982, the first watch with an integrated TV screen. The quartz revolution had begun and it was just a matter of time for prices to drop far below mechanical counterparts. One hundred gold watches sold within the first week for USD 1,250 (the price of a medium-sized car at the time). It was arguably the biggest horological development of the 20th century. It was accurate to within five seconds per month (100 times more accurate than mechanical watches of the day) and ran continuously for a full year (250 times longer than most mechanical watches). In fact, Seiko quite literally invented the quartz watch in 1969 with the Quartz Astron. While many European brands were competing with grand complications, ultra-thin movements and exotic materials, Seiko’s focus on quartz and digital technology kept it on the cutting edge and consequently helped ignite the quartz crisis of the 1970s and 1980s. Seiko has delivered more “world firsts” than just about any other brand, and the combination of mechanical advancements and electronic/computer technology truly sets the company apart. The 1913 Seiko “Laurel” and the 1895 Seiko “Time Keeper” Seiko has remained a family-run entity with Shinji Hattori, great-grandson of the founder, as the current CEO. As the decades rolled on, Seiko became one of the biggest disrupters in the industry with both technological and mechanical advancements and thrived during the quartz crisis that decimated so many others. Seiko improved the ruggedness of its movements in 1956 with Diashock, a shock-resistant system that protected the balance-staff pivot from impacts and reduced friction to ensure optimal performance of the balance wheel. It wasn't until 1924 that "Seiko" first appeared on timepieces and in 1929 a Seiko pocket watch became Japan National Railway's official "Railway Watch". In 1892, he starting manufacturing wall clocks under the brand Seikosha, meaning "House of Exquisite Workmanship." In 1895 he created the Time Keeper, the brand's first pocket watch and in 1913 he produced Japan's first wristwatch, the Laurel. Seiko was founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori, who opened a watch and jewellery shop, K.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |